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1. California

 

71.35 points

 

 

2. Pennsylvania

 

65.79 points

 

Good

BEST PRACTICE of any state for closing scratch-off games, start removing tickets BEFORE all top level prizes claimed

 

Maximum $5 scratch-off

 

“Cash Value” of annuitized online jackpots on web

 

All online prizes pari-mutuel

 

Prizes exempt from state income tax

 

Installing point-of-sale ticket self-checkers at all retail locations

 

Web available in Spanish

Bad

Scratch-off “free-ticket” prize has true value less than price of game

 

Not all levels of unclaimed prizes on web

 

No odds statements on back of online tickets

Good

Good practice for closing scratch-off games once all top-level prizes have been claimed

 

“Cash Value” of annuitized online jackpots on web

 

Prizes exempt from state income tax 

 

Prize amount of scratch-offs now printed on ticket face

 

1 year to claim prizes

 

Don’t use “EDUCATION” as justification

Bad

Scratch-off “free-ticket” prize worth less than price of game

 

Only “overall odds” statement on back of scratch-offs

 

Not all levels of unclaimed prizes on web

 

Unclaimed prize money not returned to players

 

 

 

3. Texas

 

64.19 points

 

 

4. Iowa

 

63.14 points

 

Good

Amount of “Cash Value” for Lotto and Mega-Millions printed on front of ticket if that option chosen (only state thus far to do so and a BEST PRACTICE)

 

All levels of unclaimed prizes on web and updated all business days

 

Best website overall

 

Close scratch-offs when all top level prizes claimed

 

Many changes made in last year to improve disclosure practices

 

Billboards, web and back of online tickets include the word “annuitized”

Bad

$50 scratch-off (most of any state)

 

*Despite having marketing targeted toward Hispanics and a large Hispanic population, website does not have Spanish option

*Late breaking news – because of this project and student’s concerns, Texas has now added a Spanish section to the website

 

No $ to problem gambling initiatives

 

Unclaimed prize $ not returned to players

 

Minors are permitted to claim prizes under certain conditions, does this encourage underage play?

 

One of the highest percentages of sales attributed to scratch-offs

Good

Have a voluntary “self-exclusion” option to help problem gamblers

 

Unclaimed prize $ returned to players

 

“Cash Value” of annuitized online jackpots on web

 

No “free-ticket” prize

 

Over $1 million to Iowa’s Gambling Treatment Fund

 

Don’t use “EDUCATION” as justification

Bad

Lottery winnings subject to state income tax